Artwork
On the Trail
On the Trail is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
On the Trail is a drawing executed in watercolor over a graphite underdrawing on wove paper, completed in 1889 by American artist Winslow Homer. The work exemplifies Homer's late‑career interest in outdoor subjects rendered with a combination of drawing and wash techniques.
Technique & Style
The piece begins with a graphite sketch that defines the composition, upon which translucent watercolor layers build form and atmosphere. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that supports fine line work while allowing the watercolor to spread evenly, reflecting Homer's skill in integrating drawing and painting.
History & Provenance
Created toward the end of Homer's productive period, On the Trail entered the public domain through acquisition by a major American museum in the early twentieth century. Its provenance traces a straightforward path from the artist’s studio to institutional collection, with no recorded sales on the open market.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.
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